NOTE 18 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table illustrates the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 (in thousands, except per share data):

For the Year Ended

December 31, 

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2023

Numerator (basic and diluted):

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Net income

$

2,538,209

$

2,386,680

$

2,346,581

Denominator:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic

 

851,472

 

875,082

 

907,131

Effect of stock options (1)

 

4,447

 

5,490

 

7,845

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution

 

855,919

 

880,572

 

914,976

Earnings per share:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Earnings per share-basic

$

2.98

$

2.73

$

2.59

Earnings per share-assuming dilution

$

2.97

$

2.71

$

2.56

Antidilutive potential common shares not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Stock options (1)

 

1,142

 

1,490

 

1,421

Weighted-average exercise price per share of antidilutive stock options (1)

$

84.51

$

67.79

$

55.74

(1)See Note 14 for further information concerning the terms of the Company’s share-based compensation plans.

See Note 11 for information concerning the Company’s subsequent share repurchases.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 27, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 28, 2025
2023Feb 28, 2024
2022Feb 28, 2023
2021Feb 28, 2022
2020Feb 26, 2021
2019Feb 28, 2020
2018Feb 27, 2019
2017Feb 28, 2018
2016Feb 28, 2017
2015Feb 26, 2016

About Earnings Per Share Disclosures

The earnings per share disclosure breaks down the calculation from net income to both basic and diluted EPS, revealing the full impact of a company's capital structure on per-share economics. The reconciliation between basic and diluted share counts exposes how many stock options, RSUs, convertible securities, and warrants are potentially dilutive to existing shareholders.

Key signals: a widening gap between basic and diluted shares indicates growing dilution from equity compensation or convertible instruments. Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the diluted calculation deserve attention — they represent latent dilution that will materialize if the stock price rises. Watch for the effect of share buybacks on per-share metrics: EPS growth driven primarily by repurchases rather than income growth signals weakening fundamentals. Compare year-over-year changes in the diluted share count against equity compensation expense to assess whether management is effectively managing dilution.